On, on they hurried, through brier, bramble, and thicket, stopping not even to cast a single glance behind them, lest they should again see the spectral figure of their late companion, until they had satisfied themselves that they had nothing to fear from ghost or human, when they reined in their panting steeds to recover breath.
“Oh, God! thet wor awful!” exclaimed Putney, in a husky voice. “Poor Tom wor a plucky one; but that wor an awful death to die!” and he covered his face with his brawny hands, trying to shut out the terrible scene from his imagination.
The corpse was that of their companion, to whom, that morning, the dragoons had administered such summary justice.
After a moment of respite, Putney gave the signal to again press onward. Over fallen trees, through swamp and morass, up the steep hill and across the valley, they hurried with a precipitation which naught but their superstitious fears could have created.
Their progress was at length arrested by the small stream that flowed into Lake George, between Forts William Henry and George. One of the party reconnoitered the bank for some distance to find a fordable place.
Finally the desired spot was discovered, and they succeeded in passing over in safety, receiving only a slight wetting. They were so near the forts, that the distant roll of the drums and winding of the bugles could be heard distinctly.
Putney urged the party to their utmost celerity. He was in great trepidation lest he should come across some scouting party returning to the fort. However, the crisis passed safely over, and they breathed freely as they escaped beyond the American lines.
After a short but wearisome ride, Putney signaled the party to halt and dismount. The spot at which they stopped was at the base of a large hill, possessed, in no respect, of any peculiarities to distinguish it from the landscape of the surrounding country.
Putney pushed his way through a large clump of bushes that grew some distance back from the roadside, and made a sign for the others to follow him.
They proceeded cautiously along a secret path that wound around the base of the mountain, and at length stopped before a large cavity partly concealed by shrubbery.